Automatic cut-off device



Dec. 4, 1934. 1 L BREESE, JR 1,983,340

AUTOMATIC CUT-OFF DEVICE Original Filed May 14, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l 00000000 -OOOOODQODI O nooo o oooou vmouw o o o o mou@ l u o o o o o wooo /576 i Dec. 4, 1934. J. l.. BREESE. JR

AUTOMATIC CUT-OFF DEVICE I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May 14, 1927 Dec., 4, 1934. 1. l.. BRI-:E511 JR- y AUTOMATIC' CUT-OFF DEVICE original Filed May 14, 1927 5 sheets-sheet s .15 specification and claims.

Patented Dec. 4, 1934 UNITED STATI-:s

' PATENT OFFICE IAn'rorurrrc cU'r-orr` DEVICE poration of Illinois Original application May 14, 1927, Serial No.

191,296. Divided and this application February 15, 1930, Serial No. 428,845

My invention relates to a fuel control means for a hydrocarbon burner and has for particular purpose the provision of means for controlling the ilow of 'a liquid hydrocarbon fuel. Another purpose is the provision of a thermostatically controlled fuel regulation. Another purpose is the provision of a thermostatic control, with means for cuttingoff the supply of fuel when the temperature rises above a predetermined point, and forv supplementally increasing the normal supply of fuel when the temperature drops below a predetermined point. Another object is the provision of an improved overflow` control. Other objects will appear from time to time in the course of the The present application is a division of my copending application No. 191,296, filed on Mayv14, 1927, now Patent No. 1,845,999.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, where- Figure 5 is a section on the .line 5-5 of FigureY 3; and

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specication and drawings.

A generally indicates the .outer shell or drum of a hydrocarbon burner, A1 being the upper or combustion chamber. A2.is a transverse partition centrally apertured as at A3. Seated in the aperture A5'is the mixing drum or chamber A4 with the concave bottom A5.

with a plurality of small apertures-A5 spaced in general uniformity about the intermediate and lower portion of its walls. Adjacent the upper edge of the walls is a row A" of larger and upwardly inclined apertures. A8 is an upwardly and '45 inwardly inclined flange projecting inwardly from the upper edge of the drum A4. A9 isa distribu` tor member in the center of the bottom member. A5 and A1l1 are apertures in the walls thereof. Y A11 indicate air inlet apertures about the lower edge of the drum A and A12 are any suitable air inletsv whereby air may pass through the transverse partition A14 which underlies the mixing chamber A4.

' B indicates an oil supply line which extends from any suitable .oil supply to the oatchamber generally indicated as C. B1 is an oil line extend- Figure l is a vertical section of my device withV The odrum is provided ing from said float chamber and communicating, by the elbow B2 with the bottom A5 of the mixing chamber A4. B3 is a gas line which extends into the union member B4 and axially along the pipe B1 to terminate as at B5 within the distributor member A9 in the mixing chamber at a level above the normal level of admittance of the liquid fuel. B5 is a bushing member adapted to receive the fuel line B1. It may be secured in relation to the burner for example by the set screw BrI in^the hollow member B8 whichl is secured as at B9 to the drum A.

Referring more particularly to the flow chamber, as shown in Figures 2 and following the fuel line B communicates with the initial admission chamber C1 in which is positioned the strainer C1'- yieldingly thrust upwardly by the spring C3 against an upper abutment C4. C5 is a removable screw threaded plug which engages the spring C3 and which permits removal of the strainer and access to the chamber C1. C6 is a fuel passage extending upwardly from said chamber and controlled by the valve member D. This valve member is pivoted to the end of a lever D1 which 1 lever is in turn pivoted as atDZ closely adjacent its connection with the valve member D. Its Opposite end is downwardly turned as at D3 and is secured to the float D1. It will be understood that when the level of oil in the oat chamber is below the predetermined normal oil flows through the passage B and the passage C6 and escapes over the ledge C" to the iioat chamber proper indicated as C8. D5 is a shield, associated with the valve D, and adapted to prevent any substantial upward gush of the inflowing fuel.

As shown in Figure 5 the ledge C7 is bounded at one end by a raised portion C10 through which extends the outlet or overflow passage C11.

E indicates a transverse rod upon which is pivoted the weight E1. Preferably formed integrally with such weight is the lever E11 to the end of which is pivoted a stem E3 extending downwardly through the passage C11. It terminates at its lower end in the hook E4 to which may be secured the bail E5 of the overflow control bucket E5. E'7 is a laterally projecting lug herein shown as associated with the lever E2, and -Ea is a corresponding lateral projection mounted upon the lever Es at the opposite side of the rod E. It will be understood that in case the iioat chamber becomesjso filled that oil flows downwardly through the overflow passage C11 and lls the bucket,'the weight of the bucket will trip the counterweight E1 and will cause it to take the position shown in dotted line in Figure 3. -In

municate with the vertical apertures mission of fuel: vOn the other hand, if the trip bucket E6 is removed from the hook E4 the counterweight E1 will drop to the position shown in dotted line in Figure 4. In such case the lug EFI will contact the lever D1 and close the valve D. Thus no fuel can flow into the oat chamber unless the overflow bucket is in position, and no fuel can flow into the chamber when the overflow bucket is sufficiently full to tilt the weight E1' to the right of the position in which it is shown in full line in Figures 3 and 4. When the overflow bucket E6 is in position, and is not so filled, it is normally held, by the weight E1, in the full line position shown, being drawn up against the bottom of the float chamber.

'Ihe weight E1 is kept in proper position in relation to the lever D, for example by the spacing sleeves E111E11 Aon the pin E. E12 is a semi-circular guard to protect the overflow bucket E6.

The fuel line B1 is connected with a downward projection or boss G positioned on the side of the float chamber opposite to the inlet chamber C1..

It is provided with an aperture G1 in opposition to the end of the line B1, access to which may be had by removal of the square ended screw G2, as shown in Figure 3. In communication with the space G1 are two ducts G2G4 which in turn com- G5G6. Screwthrea'ded in these apertures are the valve cylinders G7 in the lower ends of wlfrich are .screwthreaded the valve seats G2. G1G1o are valve stems slidable in the bearing members G11 which are screwthreaded into the upper ends of the sleeves G2. The upward movement of said stems is limited by a pin or stop G12, adjustment of the valve excursion being obtainable by rotation of the screwthreaded members G11. 'I'he valve cylinders G2 are apertured as at G12 toreceive the oil passing through the circular screen members G14 which are held in position by tension springs G15, one end being frictionally engaged by the threaded members G11. Each-valve cylinder G" is provided with an air hole G111 above the fuel level. G12 is an air vent member extending upwardly from the passage G1 to the point well above the highest possible fuel level.

I prefer to render the valves G2G10 responsive to temperature conditions. The thermostatic control may be based upon temperatures adjacent the burner or upon local or room temperatures taken elsewhere, depending upon the needs of the particular installation. Referring to the diagrammatic portion of Figure 1 H indicates the house current which may for example be a 110v volt current. H1 is the primary coil of a transformer, in sucht-house circuit and H2 is a secondary coil of such transformer. H3 is a conductive line extending from one end of said secondary coil H2 to the terminal H4. H5 is a conductive line extending from the lopposite end of the vsecondary coil to any suitable thermostatic leaf H6. Opposed to such leaf are thecontacts HI and H2. When the temperature rises to a predetermined point the leaf Hi will touch one of said contacts, for example H2 `and the six volt current will pass through such contact along the conductive line H9 to a terminal H10. On the conopposite contact H2 and the six volt current will A pass along the conductive line H11 to the terminal H12.

I I1 are generally similar bi-metallic thermostatic strips which are adapted to flex in opposite directions in response to similar changes in temperatures. I2 and I2 are resistance members or coils associated respectively with the leaves I and I1.

The leaves are apertured at their outer ends as at 1415 to receive the upper ends of the valve stems G9 and G1. The cross pins G19G2 of said valve sterns'engage the upper surface of the thermostatic leaves.

It will be understood that when the leaf H6 deects to the right, as shown in Figure 1, and closes the circuit through the contact H2 and conductor H9 the circuit is continued through the resistance I2 by means of the conductive connec-v tion I6 from the terminal H10 to the resistance and the conductive connection I7 from the resistance to the return terminal H4. Similarly, if the leaf H6 deflects in the opposite direction, in response to a drop in temperature, the circuit is closed through the line H11 and the terminal H12 and passes thence by the conductive line I8 to the resistance I2 and thence by the conductive line I2 to the return terminal H4.

.When the leaf H6 is in intermediate position` and neither resistance is actuated, the leaf I and the resistance I2 will be in the position shown in dotted line 'at the right of Figure 6 and the valve stem G10 will be upwardly withdrawn to permit aflow of fuel through the aperture G,6 and the duct G4 into the fuel line B1. As long as the temperature remains within the predetermined range, fuel will be supplied to the fuel line B1 through but a single duct. However when the temperature exceeds the predetermined normal and the resistance I2 is heated, the leaf I exes to the position shown in full line at the right of Figure 6 and the valve G10 is permitted'to drop into closed position.

If the temperature drops below the desired normal range, the vresistance I2 is of course not heated and the valve stem G1o remains in open position. But the resistance I3 becomes heated and the leaf I1 ilexes upwardly into the position shown in 120 dotted line in Figure 6. This fiexure of the leaf causes it to lift the valve stern G9, thus permitting fuel to ow to the line B1 through the duct G2. The valve unit is protected by a cover K fastened to the float chamber C by screws K1.-

Referring for example to Figure 1, it will be seen that the float chamber and the control mechanism make it impossible for the level of fuel within the mixing chamber A4 to reach the lowest air apertures A6. 'I'his is important, and it is an important feature of my device that I so locate the float chamberin relation to lthe chamber A4 that under no circumstances can the fuel level in the chamber A4 approach the air inlets. In fact I so position my float chamber that the chamber A4 can never overflow and can only receive fuel to a relatively small depth in the bottom of the chamber.

It will be realized that whereas I have shown and described a practical and operative device,

y,out departing from the spirit of my invention. I f therefore wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense diagrammatic and illustrative' rather than as limiting me to my specificA showing.

1. A constant level chamber having an inlet,

means for normally maintaining a constant level with therein including avalve to control said inlet, means for stopping the delivery'of liquid into the chamber when the liquid therein has reached a predetermined level, said means including an actuating member for said valve, an overow bucket secured'to said member and receiving ex cess liquid from the chamber, said actuating member lhaving a weight thereon movable past dead center position to quickly close the valve.

2. A constant level chamber having an inlet, means for normally maintaining a constant level therein including a valve to open or close the liquid inlet, an actuation member cooperating with said valve, said member having detachable connection. to an overflow bucket receiving excess liquid from the chamber, and arranged to close the valve either upon overiiow of liquid into the bucket or detachment of the bucket from the actuating member. l

3. A constant level chamber having an inlet, means for normally maintaining a constant level therein including a valve to open or close the liquid inlet, an actuating member cooperating said valve, said member having detachable connection to an overow bucket receiving excess liquid from the chamber andf arranged to close the valve upon overflow of the liquid vinto the bucket and a weight on the actuating member movable to quickly close the valve either upon overflow into the bucket or detachment of the bucket.

y4. A constant level chamber' having an inlet, means therein for maintaining a constant level including a'valve and a lever pivoted adjacent said valve, means for stopping the delivery of liquid into the chamber when the liquid therein has reached a predetermined level, comprising rotatable means operable by the liquid at said predetermined level on the opposite side of the said "pivot for engaging the lever to close the valve.

5. A constant level chamber having an inlet and an overflow duct leading'therefrom, means therein for maintaining a constant level including a valve for said inlet, a bucket removably supported beneath said duct and receiving liquid therefrom upon overow to close the valve, and means connected to the valve and operable upon removal of said bucket to close said valve.

6. A constant level chamber having an inlet and an overiiow duct leading therefrom, means therein for maintaining a constant level including a valve for said inlet, a bucket removably supported beneath said duct and receiving liquid therefrom upon overiiow, and common means cooperating with said valve to close the same upon overflow into the bucket or upon removal of the bucket from its support.

7. A constant level chamber having an inlet, means for/ maintaining a constant level therein, including a valve and a lever pivoted adjacent said 'valve means for stopping the .delivery of liquid to the chamber when the liquid therein has reached a predetermined level, comprising rotatable means operable by the liquid/mt said predetermined level on the opposite side of the pivot engaging the lever to close the valve, saidv means including a weight'movable"beyond dead vcenter. to quickly close said inlet valve.

JAMES L. BREESE, JR. 

